"Aprettysystem，"saidI，"whichextinguishesloveofcountryandofeverythingnoble，andbringsthemindsofitsministerstoaparitywiththoseofdevils，whodelightinnothingbutmischief。"
　　"Thesystem，"saidthemaninblack，"isagrandone，withunboundedvitality。CompareitwithyourProtestantism，andyouwillseethedifference。Poperyiseveratwork，whilstProtestantismissupine。Aprettychurch，indeed，theProtestant！Why，itcan’tevenworkamiracle。"
　　"Canyourchurchworkmiracles？"Idemanded。
　　"Thatwastheveryquestion，"saidthemaninblack，"whichtheancientBritishclergyaskedofAustinMonk，aftertheyhadbeenfoolsenoughtoacknowledgetheirowninability。
　　’Wedon’tpretendtoworkmiracles；doyou？’’Oh！dearme，yes，’saidAustin；’wefindnodifficultyinthematter。Wecanraisethedead，wecanmaketheblindsee；andtoconvinceyou，Iwillgivesighttotheblind。HereisthisblindSaxon，whomyoucannotcure，butonwhoseeyesIwillmanifestmypower，inordertoshowthedifferencebetweenthetrueandthefalsechurch；’andforthwith，withtheassistanceofahandkerchiefandalittlehotwater，heopenedtheeyesofthebarbarian。Sowemanagematters！A
　　prettychurch，thatoldBritishchurch，whichcouldnotworkmiracles—quiteashelplessasthemodernone。Thefools！
　　wasbirdlimesoscarceathingamongstthem？—andwerethepropertiesofwarmwatersounknowntothem，thattheycouldnotcloseapairofeyesandopenthem？"
　　"It’sapity，"saidI，"thattheBritishclergyatthatinterviewwithAustin，didnotbringforwardablindWelshman，andaskthemonktooperateuponhim。"
　　"Clearly，"saidthemaninblack；"that’swhattheyoughttohavedone；buttheywerefoolswithoutasingleresource。"
　　Herehetookasipathisglass。
　　"Buttheydidnotbelieveinthemiracle？"saidI。
　　"Andwhatdidtheirnotbelievingavailthem？"saidthemaninblack。"Austinremainedmasterofthefield，andtheywentawayholdingtheirheadsdown，andmutteringtothemselves。WhatafinesubjectforapaintingwouldbeAustin’sopeningtheeyesoftheSaxonbarbarian，andthediscomfitureoftheBritishclergy！Iwonderithasnotbeenpainted！—he！he！"
　　"Isupposeyourchurchstillperformsmiraclesoccasionally！"
　　saidI。
　　"Itdoes，"saidthemaninblack。"TheRev。—haslatelybeenperformingmiraclesinIreland，destroyingdevilsthathadgotpossessionofpeople；hehasbeeneminentlysuccessful。Intwoinstanceshenotonlydestroyedthedevils，butthelivesofthepeoplepossessed—he！he！Oh！
　　thereissomuchenergyinoursystem；wearealwaysatwork，whilstProtestantismissupine。"
　　"Youmustnotimagine，"saidI，"thatallProtestantsaresupine；someofthemappeartobefilledwithunboundedzeal。
　　Theydeal，itistrue，notinlyingmiracles，buttheypropagateGod’sWord。Irememberonlyafewmonthsago，havingoccasionforaBible，goingtoanestablishment，theobjectofwhichwastosendBiblesallovertheworld。Thesupportersofthatestablishmentcouldhavenoself—
　　interestedviews；forIwassuppliedbythemwithanoble—
　　sizedBibleatapricesosmallastoprecludetheideathatitcouldbringanyprofittothevendors。"
　　Thecountenanceofthemaninblackslightlyfell。"Iknowthepeopletowhomyouallude，"saidhe；"indeed，unknowntothem，Ihavefrequentlybeentoseethem，andobservedtheirways。Itellyoufranklythatthereisnotasetofpeopleinthiskingdomwhohavecausedourchurchsomuchtroubleanduneasiness。Ishouldrathersaythattheyalonecauseusany；forasfortherest，whatwiththeirdrowsiness，theirplethora，theirfollyandtheirvanity，theyaredoingusanythingbutmischief。Thesefellowsareapestilentsetofheretics，whomwewouldgladlyseeburnt；theyare，withthemostuntiringperseverance，andinspiteofdiversminatorydeclarationsoftheholyfather，scatteringtheirbooksabroadthroughallEurope，andhavecausedmanypeopleinCatholiccountriestothinkthathithertotheirpriesthoodhaveendeavoured，asmuchaspossible，tokeepthemblinded。
　　Thereisonefellowamongstthemforwhomweentertainaparticularaversion；abig，burlyparson，withthefaceofalion，thevoiceofabuffalo，andafistlikeasledge—
　　hammer。ThelasttimeIwasthere，Iobservedthathiseyewasuponme，andIdidnotliketheglancehegavemeatall；
　　Iobservedhimclenchhisfist，andItookmydepartureasfastasIconvenientlycould。WhetherhesuspectedwhoI
　　was，Iknownot；butIdidnotlikehislookatall，anddonotintendtogoagain。"
　　"Well，then，"saidI，"youconfessthatyouhaveredoubtableenemiestoyourplansintheseregions，andthatevenamongsttheecclesiasticstherearesomewidelydifferentfromthoseoftheplethoricandPlatitudeschools？"
　　"Itisbuttootrue，"saidthemaninblack；"andiftherestofyourchurchwerelikethemweshouldquicklybidadieutoallhopeofconvertingtheseregions，butwearethankfultobeabletosaythatsuchfolksarenotnumerous；thereare，moreover，causesatworkquitesufficienttoundermineeventheirzeal。Theirsonsreturnatthevacations，fromOxfordandCambridge，puppies，fullofthenonsensewhichtheyhaveimbibedfromPlatitudeprofessors；andthisnonsensetheyretailathome，whereitfailsnottomakesomeimpression，whilstthedaughtersscream—Ibegtheirpardons—warbleaboutScotland’sMontroseandBonnyDundee，andalltheJacobs；sowehavenodoubtthattheirpapas’zealaboutthepropagationofsuchavulgarbookastheBiblewillinaverylittletimebeterriblydiminished。OldRomewillwin，soyouhadbetterjoinher。"
　　Andthemaninblackdrainedthelastdropinhisglass。
　　"Never，"saidI，"willIbecometheslaveofRome。"
　　"Shewillallowyoulatitude，"saidthemaninblack；"dobutserveher，andshewillallowyoutocallher’puta’atadecenttimeandplace，herpopesoccasionallycallher’puta。’Apopehasbeenknowntostartfromhisbedatmidnightandrushoutintothecorridor，andcallout’puta’
　　threetimesinavoicewhichpiercedtheVatican；thatpopewas—"
　　"AlexandertheSixth，Idaresay，"saidI；"thegreatestmonsterthateverexisted，thoughtheworthiestheadwhichthepopesystemeverhad—sohisconsciencewasnotalwaysstill。Ithoughtithadbeensearedwithabrandofiron。"
　　"Ididnotalludetohim，buttoamuchmoremodernpope，"
　　saidthemaninblack；"itistruehebroughttheword，whichisSpanish，fromSpain，hisnativecountry，toRome。Hewasveryfondofcallingthechurchbythatname，andotherpopeshavetakenitup。Shewillallowyoutocallherbyit，ifyoubelongtoher。"
　　"Ishallcallherso，"saidI，"withoutbelongingtoher，oraskingherpermission。"
　　"Shewillallowyoutotreatherassuch，ifyoubelongtoher，"saidthemaninblack；"thereisachapelinRome，wherethereisawondrouslyfairstatue—thesonofacardinal—Imeanhisnephew—once—Well，shedidnotcutoffhishead，butslightlyboxedhischeekandbadehimgo。"
　　"Ihavereadallaboutthatin’Keysler’sTravels，’"saidI；
　　"doyoutellherthatIwouldnottouchherwithapairoftongs，unlesstoseizehernose。"
　　"Sheisfondoflucre，"saidthemaninblack；"butdoesnotgrudgeafaithfulpriestalittleprivateperquisite，"andhetookoutaveryhandsomegoldrepeater。
　　"Areyounotafraid，"saidI，"toflashthatwatchbeforetheeyesofapoortinkerinadingle？"
　　"Notbeforetheeyesofonelikeyou，"saidthemaninblack。
　　"Itisgettinglate，"saidI；"Icarenotforperquisites。"
　　"Soyouwillnotjoinus？"saidthemaninblack。
　　"Youhavehadmyanswer，"saidI。
　　"IfIbelongtoRome，"saidthemaninblack，"whyshouldnotyou？"
　　"Imaybeapoortinker，"saidI；"butImayneverhaveundergonewhatyouhave。Youremember，perhaps，thefableofthefoxwhohadlosthistail？"
　　Themaninblackwinced，butalmostimmediatelyrecoveringhimself，hesaid，"Well，wecandowithoutyou，wearesureofwinning。"
　　"Itisnotthepartofwisepeople，"saidI，"tomakesureofthebattlebeforeitisfought：there’sthelandlordofthepublic—house，whomadesurethathiscockswouldwin，yetthecockslostthemain，andthelandlordislittlebetterthanabankrupt。"
　　"Peopleverydifferentfromthelandlord，"saidthemaninblack，"bothinintellectandstation，thinkweshallsurelywin；thereareclevermachinatorsamonguswhohavenodoubtofoursuccess。"
　　"Well，"saidI，"Iwillsetthelandlordaside，andwilladduceonewhowasineverypointaverydifferentpersonfromthelandlord，bothinunderstandingandstation；hewasveryfondoflayingschemes，and，indeed，manyofthemturnedoutsuccessful。Hislastanddarlingone，however，miscarried，notwithstandingthatbyhiscalculationshehadpersuadedhimselfthattherewasnopossibilityofitsfailing—thepersonthatIalludetowasoldFraser—"
　　"Who？"saidthemaninblack，givingastart，andlettinghisglassfall。
　　"OldFraser，ofLovat，"saidI，"theprinceofallconspiratorsandmachinators；hemadesureofplacingthePretenderonthethroneoftheserealms。’Icanbringintothefieldsomanymen，’saidhe；’myson—in—lawCluny，somany，andlikewisemycousin，andmygoodfriend；’thenspeakingofthoseonwhomthegovernmentreckonedforsupport，hewouldsay，’Soandsoarelukewarm，thispersonisruledbyhiswife，whoiswithus，theclergyareanythingbuthostiletous，andasforthesoldiersandsailors，halfaredisaffectedtoKingGeorge，andtherestcowards。’Yetwhenthingscametoatrial，thispersonwhomhehadcalculatedupontojointhePretenderdidnotstirfromhishome，anotherjoinedthehostileranks，thepresumedcowardsturnedoutheroes，andthosewhomhethoughtheroesranawaylikelustyfellowsatCulloden；inaword，hefoundhimselfutterlymistaken，andinnothingmorethaninhimself；hethoughthewasahero，andprovedhimselfnothingmorethananoldfox；hegotupahollowtree，didn’the，justlikeafox？
　　"’L’operesuenonfuronleonine，madivolpe。’"
　　Themaninblacksatsilentforaconsiderabletime，andatlengthansweredinratherafalteringvoice，"Iwasnotpreparedforthis；youhavefrequentlysurprisedmebyyourknowledgeofthingswhichIshouldneverhaveexpectedanypersonofyourappearancetobeacquaintedwith，butthatyoushouldbeawareofmynameisacircumstanceutterlyincomprehensibletome。IhadimaginedthatnopersoninEnglandwasacquaintedwithit；indeed，Idon’tseehowanypersonshouldbe，Ihaverevealedittonoone，notbeingparticularlyproudofit。Yes，IacknowledgethatmynameisFraser，andthatIamofthebloodofthatfamilyorclan，ofwhichtherectorofourcollegeoncesaid，thathewasfirmlyofopinionthateveryindividualmemberwaseitherrogueorfool。IwasbornatMadrid，ofpure，OIME，Fraserblood。Myparents，atanearlyage，tookmeto—，wheretheyshortlydied，not，however，beforetheyhadplacedmeintheserviceofacardinal，withwhomIcontinuedforsomeyears，andwho，whenhehadnofurtheroccasionforme，sentmetothecollege，intheleft—handcloisterofwhich，asyouenter，restthebonesofSirJohn—；there，instudyinglogicandhumaneletters，IlostwhateverofhumanityIhadretainedwhendiscardedbythecardinal。Letmenot，however，forgettwopoints，—IamaFraser，itistrue，butnotaFlannagan；
　　ImaybearthevilestnameofBritain，butnotofIreland；I
　　wasbredupattheEnglishhouse，andthereisat—ahousefortheeducationofbogtrotters；Iwasnotbredupatthat；
　　beneaththelowestgulf，thereisoneyetlower；whatevermybloodmaybe，itisatleastnotIrish；whatevermyeducationmayhavebeen，IwasnotbredattheIrishseminary—onthoseaccountsIamthankful—yes，PERDIO！Iamthankful。
　　Aftersomeyearsatcollege—butwhyshouldItellyoumyhistory？youknowitalreadyperfectlywell，probablymuchbetterthanmyself。Iamnowamissionarypriest，labouringinhereticEngland，likeParsonsandGarnetofold，saveandexceptthat，unlikethem，Irunnodanger，forthetimesarechanged。AsItoldyoubefore，IshallcleavetoRome—I
　　must；NOHAYREMEDIO，astheysayatMadrid，andIwilldomybesttofurtherherholyplans—he！he！—butIconfessI
　　begintodoubtoftheirbeingsuccessfulhere—youputmeout；oldFraser，ofLovat！Ihaveheardmyfathertalkofhim；hehadagold—headedcane，withwhichheonceknockedmygrandfatherdown—hewasanastuteone，but，asyousay，mistaken，particularlyinhimself。IhavereadhislifebyArbuthnot，itisinthelibraryofourcollege。Farewell！I
　　shallcomenomoretothisdingle—tocomewouldbeofnoutility；Ishallgoandlabourelsewhere，though—howyoucametoknowmyname，isafactquiteinexplicable—
　　farewell！toyouboth。"
　　Hethenarose；andwithoutfurthersalutationdepartedfromthedingle，inwhichIneversawhimagain。"How，inthenameofwonder，cameyoutoknowthatman’sname？"saidBelle，afterhehadbeengonesometime。
　　"I，Belle？Iknewnothingofthefellow’sname，Iassureyou。"
　　"Butyoumentionedhisname。"
　　"IfIdid，itwasmerelycasually，bywayofillustration。I
　　wassayinghowfrequentlycunningpeopleweremistakenintheircalculations，andIadducedthecaseofoldFraser，ofLovat，asoneinpoint；Ibroughtforwardhisname，becauseI
　　waswellacquaintedwithhishistory，fromhavingcompiledandinserteditinawonderfulwork，whichIeditedsomemonthsago，entitled’NewgateLivesandTrials，’butwithouttheslightestideathatitwasthenameofhimwhowassittingwithus；he，however，thoughtthatIwasawareofhisname。Belle！Belle！foralongtimeIdoubtedthetruthofScripture，owingtocertainconceitedindividuals，butnowI
　　begintobelievefirmly；whatwonderfultextsareinScripture，Belle；’Thewickedtremblethwhere—where—’"
　　"’Theywereafraidwherenofearwas；thouhastputthemtoconfusion，becauseGodhathdespisedthem，’"saidBelle；"I
　　havefrequentlyreaditbeforetheclergymaninthegreathouseofLongMelford。Butifyoudidnotknowtheman’sname，whylethimgoawaysupposingthatyoudid？"
　　"Oh，ifhewasfoolenoughtomakesuchamistake，Iwasnotgoingtoundeceivehim—no，no！LettheenemiesofoldEnglandmakethemostofalltheirblundersandmistakes，theywillhavenohelpfromme；butenoughofthefellow，Belle；letusnowhavetea，andafterthat—"
　　"NoArmenian，"saidBelle；"butIwanttoaskaquestion：
　　prayareallpeopleofthatman’snameeitherroguesorfools？"
　　"Itisimpossibleformetosay，Belle，thispersonbeingtheonlyoneofthenameIhaveeverpersonallyknown。Isupposetherearegoodandbad，cleverandfoolish，amongstthem，asamongstalllargebodiesofpeople；however，afterthetribehadbeengovernedforupwardsofthirtyyears，bysuchapersonasoldFraser，itwerenowonderifthegreaterparthadbecomeeitherroguesorfools：hewasaruthlesstyrant，Belle，overhisownpeople，andbyhiscrueltyandrapaciousnessmusteitherhavestunnedthemintoanapathyapproachingtoidiotcy，ormadethemartfulknavesintheirowndefence。Thequalitiesofparentsaregenerallytransmittedtotheirdescendants—theprogenyoftrainedpointersarealmostsuretopoint，evenwithoutbeingtaught：
　　if，therefore，allFrasersareeitherroguesorfools，asthispersonseemstoinsinuate，itislittletobewonderedat，theirparentsorgrandparentshavingbeeninthetraining—schoolofoldFraser！Butenoughoftheoldtyrantandhisslaves。Belle，prepareteathismoment，ordreadmyanger。Ihavenotagold—headedcanelikeoldFraserofLovat，butIhave，whatsomepeoplewoulddreadmuchmore，anArmenianrune—stick。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　FreshArrivals—PitchingtheTent—CertificatedWife—
　　High—flyingNotions。
　　ONthefollowingmorning，asIwasabouttoleavemytent，I
　　heardthevoiceofBelleatthedoor，exclaiming，"Sleepestthou，orwakestthou？""Iwasnevermoreawakeinmylife，"
　　saidI，goingout。"Whatisthematter？""Heofthehorse—
　　shoe，"saidshe，"Jasper，ofwhomIhaveheardyoutalk，isabovethereonthefieldwithallhispeople；Iwentoutaboutaquarterofanhouragotofillthekettleatthespring，andsawthemarriving。"Itiswell，"saidI；"haveyouanyobjectiontoaskinghimandhiswifetobreakfast？"
　　"Youcandoasyouplease，"saidshe；"Ihavecupsenough，andhavenoobjectiontotheircompany。""Wearethefirstoccupiersoftheground，"saidI，"and，beingso，shouldconsiderourselvesinthelightofhosts，anddoourbesttopractisethedutiesofhospitality。""Howfondyouareofusingthatword，"saidBelle；"ifyouwishtoinvitethemanandhiswife，doso，withoutmoreado；remember，however，thatIhavenotcupsenough，norindeedteaenough，forthewholecompany。"Thereuponhurryinguptheascent，I
　　presentlyfoundmyselfoutsidethedingle。Itwasasusualabrilliantmorning，thedewybladesoftherye—grasswhichcoveredtheplainsparkledbrightlyinthebeamsofthesun，whichhadprobablybeenabouttwohoursabovethehorizon。A
　　rathernumerousbodyofmyancientfriendsandalliesoccupiedthegroundinthevicinityofthemouthofthedingle。AboutfiveyardsontherightIperceivedMr。
　　Petulengrobusilyemployedinerectinghistent；heheldinhishandanironbar，sharpatthebottom，withakindofarmprojectingfromthetopforthepurposeofsupportingakettleorcauldronoverthefire，andwhichiscalledintheRomanianlanguage"Kekauviskoesaster。"WiththesharpendofthisMr。Petulengrowasmakingholesintheearth，atabouttwentyinchesdistantfromeachother，intowhichheinsertedcertainlongrodswithaconsiderablebendtowardsthetop，whichconstitutednolessthanthetimberofthetent，andthesupportersofthecanvas。Mrs。Petulengro，andafemalewithacrutchinherhand，whomIrecognisedasMrs。
　　Chikno，satnearhimontheground，whilsttwoorthreechildren，fromsixtotenyearsold，whocomposedtheyoungfamilyofMr。andMrs。Petulengro，wereplayingabout。
　　"Hereweare，brother，"saidMr。Petulengro，ashedrovethesharpendofthebarintotheground；"hereweare，andplentyofus—ButedostaRomanychals。"
　　"Iamgladtoseeyouall，"saidI；"andparticularlyyou，madam，"saidI，makingabowtoMrs。Petulengro；"andyoualso，madam，"takingoffmyhattoMrs。Chikno。
　　"Good—daytoyou，sir，"saidMrs。Petulengro；"youlook，asusual，charmingly，andspeakso，too；youhavenotforgotyourmanners。"
　　"Itisnotallgoldthatglitters，"saidMrs。Chikno。
　　"However，good—morrowtoyou，youngrye。"
　　"IdonotseeTawno，"saidI，lookingaround；"whereishe？"
　　"Where，indeed！"saidMrs。Chikno；"Idon’tknow；hewhocountenanceshimintherovinglinecanbestanswer。"
　　"Hewillbehereanon，"saidMr。Petulengro；"hehasmerelyriddendownaby—roadtoshowafarmeratwo—year—oldcolt；
　　sheheardmegivehimdirections，butshecan’tbesatisfied。"
　　"Ican’tindeed，"saidMrs。Chikno。
　　"Andwhynot，sister？"
　　"BecauseIplacenoconfidenceinyourwords，brother；asI
　　saidbefore，youcountenanceshim。"
　　"Well，"saidI，"Iknownothingofyourprivateconcerns；I
　　amcomeonanerrand。IsopelBerners，downinthedellthere，requeststhepleasureofMr。andMrs。Petulengro’scompanyatbreakfast。Shewillbehappyalsotoseeyou，madam，"saidI，addressingMrs。Chikno。
　　"Isthatyoungfemaleyourwife，youngman？"saidMrs。
　　Chikno。
　　"Mywife？"saidI。
　　"Yes，youngman；yourwife，yourlawfulcertificatedwife？"
　　"No，"saidI；"sheisnotmywife。"
　　"ThenIwillnotvisitwithher，"saidMrs。Chikno；"I
　　countenancenothingintherovingline。"
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbytherovingline？"Idemanded。
　　"WhatdoImeanbytherovingline？Why，byitImeansuchconductasisnottatcheno。Whenryesandrawnieslivetogetherindingles，withoutbeingcertificated，Icallsuchbehaviourbeingtolerablydeepintherovingline，everythingsavouringofwhichIamdeterminednottosanctify。Ihavesufferedtoomuchbymyowncertificatedhusband’soutbreaksinthatlinetoaffordanythingofthekindtheslightestshadowofcountenance。"
　　"Itishardthatpeoplemaynotliveindinglestogetherwithoutbeingsuspectedofdoingwrong，"saidI。
　　"Soitis，"saidMrs。Petulengro，interposing；"and，totellyouthetruth，Iamaltogethersurprisedattheilliberalityofmysister’sremarks。Ihaveoftenheardsay，thatitisingoodcompany—andIhavekeptgoodcompanyinmytime—
　　thatsuspicionisking’sevidenceofanarrowanduncultivatedmind；onwhichaccountIamsuspiciousofnobody，notevenofmyownhusband，whomsomepeoplewouldthinkIhavearighttobesuspiciousof，seeingthatonhisaccountIoncerefusedalord；butaskhimwhetherIamsuspiciousofhim，andwhetherIseektokeephimclosetiedtomyapron—string；hewilltellyounothingofthekind；butthat，onthecontrary，Ialwaysallowshimanagreeablelatitude，permittinghimtogowherehepleases，andtoconversewithanyonetowhosemannerofspeakinghemaytakeafancy。ButIhavehadtheadvantageofkeepinggoodcompany，andtherefore—"
　　"Meklis，"saidMrs。Chikno，"praydropallthat，sister；I
　　believeIhavekeptasgoodcompanyasyourself；andwithrespecttothatofferwithwhichyoufrequentlyfatiguethosewhokeepscompanywithyou，Ibelieve，afterall，itwassomethingintherovinganduncertificatedline。"
　　"Inwhateverlineitwas，"saidMrs。Petulengro，"theofferwasagoodone。Theyoungduke—forhewasnotonlyalord，butaduketoo—offeredtokeepmeafinecarriage，andtomakemehissecondwife；foritistruethathehadanotherwhowasoldandstout，thoughmightyrich，andhighlygood—
　　natured；somuchso，indeed，thattheyounglordassuredmethatshewouldhavenomannerofobjectiontothearrangement；moreespeciallyifIwouldconsenttoliveinthesamehousewithher，beingfondofyoungandcheerfulsociety。Soyousee—"
　　"Yes，yes，"saidMrs。Chikno，"Isee，whatIbeforethought，thatitwasaltogetherintheuncertificatedline。"
　　"Meklis，"saidMrs。Petulengro；"Iuseyourownword，madam，whichisRomany：formyownpart，IamnotfondofusingRomanywords，unlessIcanhopetopassthemoffforFrench，whichIcannotinthepresentcompany。Iheartilywishthattherewasnosuchlanguage，anddomybesttokeepitawayfrommychildren，lestthefrequentuseofitshouldaltogetherconfirmtheminlowandvulgarhabits。Ihavefourchildren，madam，but—"
　　"Isupposebytalkingofyourfourchildrenyouwishtocheckmeforhavingnone，"saidMrs。Chikno，burstingintotears；
　　"ifIhavenochildren，sister，itisnofaultofmine，itis—butwhydoIcallyousister？"saidshe，angrily；"youarenosisterofmine，youareagrasni，aregularmare—aprettysister，indeed，ashamedofyourownlanguage。I
　　rememberwellthatbyyourhigh—flyingnotionsyoudroveyourownmother—"
　　"Wewilldropit，"saidMrs。Petulengro；"Idonotwishtoraisemyvoice，andtomakemyselfridiculous。Younggentleman，"saidshe，"praypresentmycomplimentstoMissIsopelBerners，andinformherthatIamverysorrythatI
　　cannotacceptherpoliteinvitation。Iamjustarrived，andhavesomeslightdomesticmatterstoseeto—amongstothers，towashmychildren’sfaces；butthatinthecourseoftheforenoon，whenIhaveattendedtowhatIhavetodo，andhavedressedmyself，Ihopetodomyselfthehonourofpayingheraregularvisit；youwilltellherthat，withmycompliments。
　　Withrespecttomyhusbandhecananswerforhimself，asI，notbeingofajealousdisposition，neverinterfereswithhismatters。"
　　"AndtellMissBerners，"saidMr。Petulengro，"thatIshallbehappytowaituponherincompanywithmywifeassoonasweareregularlysettled：atpresentIhavemuchonmyhands，havingnotonlytopitchmyowntent，butthisherejealouswoman’s，whosehusbandisabsentonmybusiness。"
　　ThereuponIreturnedtothedingle，and，withoutsayinganythingaboutMrs。Chikno’sobservations，communicatedtoIsopelthemessagesofMr。andMrs。Petulengro；Isopelmadenootherreplythanbyreplacinginhercoffertwoadditionalcupsandsaucers，which，inexpectationofcompany，shehadplacedupontheboard。Thekettlewasbythistimeboiling。
　　Wesatdown，and，aswebreakfasted，IgaveIsopelBernersanotherlessonintheArmenianlanguage。